Benefits to Energy Recovery Ventilators

Buildings are built to strict insulation and airtightness standards. Unfortunately, these standards can make a building difficult to heat or cool when used with HVAC systems. This issue is at the heart of energy recovery ventilators, or ERVs. This article will look at how an ERV works and how you can use it to improve your indoor air quality.

What Is An Energy Recovery Ventilator?

An energy recovery ventilator is a device that takes outside air and uses the air’s natural heat content to heat or cool a building. The device works like a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) and an air-to-air heat exchanger (AAHX) hybrid. With an HRV, fresh air is brought into a home as it is passed through a heat exchanger and replaced with stale indoor air. This process can be used to heat and cool a home. They assist in adding warmth in the winter and reducing cooling costs in the summer.

How Do ERV Systems Work?

ERVs can be installed as part of a central HVAC unit or as a standalone device. The ERV will be installed between the HVAC unit and the ductwork in the former, which is usually more expensive. In the latter, which is usually less costly, the ERV unit is installed outside of the home, taking in the air a fan pulls in from the outside. This air is passed through a heat exchanger and then ducted into the home.

ERVs can be used to cool or heat a home. The unit takes in the fresh air in cooling mode, passes it through a heat exchanger, and pumps it back into the home. This process of taking in outside air and then sending it back into the home is called dehumidification. The heat exchanger pulls out the moisture in the air, sending it outside, and the cool air is then pumped back into the home.

Benefits of Installing an ERV System

Energy recovery ventilators offer a variety of benefits. They effectively reduce the energy costs involved with heating or cooling a home and can be used to improve a home’s indoor air quality.

1. Airflow Control

ERVs can be used to adjust airflow. This is a great benefit for those of us with dust allergies or other respiratory issues. Dust allergens are removed from the air before being sent into the home using an ERV’s HEPA filters. Airflow can be adjusted, and the volume of air in a home can be lowered to accommodate those with allergies or breathing issues.

2. Humidity Control

ERVs can be used to control moisture levels in a home. Remember that the unit removes moisture from the air before being sent back into the home. By lowering airflow, the rate at which the moisture is removed can be slowed, reducing the chance of condensation on walls and ceilings and the resulting growth of mould and mildew.

3. Efficiency

Energy Recovery Ventilators are energy efficient and can recover up to 50 per cent of the energy lost through your HVAC system or even more.

Conclusion

An energy recovery ventilator can be used to improve a home’s indoor air quality, reduce energy costs, and lower building costs. If you’re in the market for a new ventilator contact Legacy Heating. We will help with the best one to save energy while improving your indoor air quality. 

We offer the most comprehensive and cost-effective HVAC products and services in Edmonton and Calgary’s surrounding areas. With many decades of experience in the field, we pride ourselves on putting quality and customers first! If you need HVAC maintenance in Calgary and Edmonton, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help!